County Executive James Tedesco has ordered the closing of all county public schools beginning Monday, March 16 in response to the rising numbers of COVID-19 in Bergen County. This is not a decision we take lightly, as we know the inconvenience it will bring, but we have been gearing up for this possibility and are solidifying plans to continue educating our students.
As of this writing, there have been NO presumed or confirmed cases of COVID-19 “coronavirus” connected to our school community. Please understand that the situation is changing rapidly, and we are making decisions and implementing them as quickly as we can.
Schools will be closed March 16-17. Those days will be counted as “snow days” that are already built into our calendar. All staff, parents, and students can use that time to prepare for online instruction.
Online instruction will begin Wednesday, March 18. Please see the attached instructions for pre-K to grade 3 and grades 4-12. The District is equipped to provide a valuable learning experience for students through a virtual teaching/learning environment.
We may be able to resume on-site classes March 30, but that is a tentative date. We will remain in steady contact with county officials, and we will share further information as it becomes available.
Throughout the closure:
- Administrators, guidance counselors and staff members will be available by email. To find contact information for staff members, go to www.rutherfordschools.org, select the building from the “Schools” menu, and select “Staff Directory” from the menu.
- All co-curricular programs, including athletics and field trips, are canceled or postponed. We will evaluate plans when regular operations resume.
- The Board of Education office will be open, but any face-to-face appointments must be scheduled in advance. Non-essential business will be on hold until regular operations resume.
- As of this writing, the Board of Education meeting planned for Monday, March 16 will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. Seats will be placed 6 feet apart, as recommended by the NJ Department of Health, and anyone who does not feel well should not attend.
- Registration of new students for the 2020-2021 school year is suspended until regular operations resume.
- Summer program registration is suspended until regular operations resume, and the deadline will be extended.
We know this is an inconvenience, but the health, safety and well-being of students and staff are of the utmost importance. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Jack Hurley, Superintendent of Schools